Answer key

Practice paper 3A
Reading
Text 1
1. A 9. True
*2. the (TV) remoter control 10. Not Given
3. D 11. True
4. C 12. D
*5. washed-out 13. B
6. False 14. A
7. True 15. E
8. Not Given 16. C
*17. The writer’s favourite South Korean drama is Winter Sonata because (1 mark)
— of the amazing settings. (1 mark)
she likes the star Bae Yong Jun. (1 mark)
18. E 21. D
19. B 22. F
20. F 23. A

Text 2
24. C 29. B
25. players 30. 3
26. A 31. B
27. D 32. B
28. B
33. Audiences like reality TV because (1 mark)
— they would like to see new programmes with a less conventional format. (1 mark)
they are given the chance to admire real people with real qualities. (1 mark)
34. B 43. A
*35. reality TV / television 44. E
36. designed / controlled 45. new / less conventional
37. deliberately 46. fresh / surprising
38. change / alter *47. becoming very popular
39. appear / look / seem 48. D
40. encourage 49. B
41. wrong / incorrect
42. F

* According to the new HKCEE marking scheme, answers for these questions will be marked correct even
if there are grammatical or spelling mistakes as long as the meaning is clear.


 Answer key

Practice paper 3B
Writing
Task 1

Suggestion Form

I would like to make the following suggestions: Suggested model answer for Task 1 (about 100 words)

1. I suggest having a Canto-pop programme because Canto-pop is a big part of youth culture in Hong

Kong. The Canto-pop programme could include new releases and interviews as well as information on

up-and-coming artists.

2. A current affairs programme would be suitable as many teenagers are interested in current affairs but

find the evening news boring. The programme could appeal to teenagers by allowing them to debate and

present their views.

3. Comedy programmes are always popular with teenagers, so having one or more of these would be a

good idea. In addition, to encourage young comedy writers, Teen TV could showcase their work on the

channel.

1
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Task 2 Question 1

Suggested model answer for Task 2 Question 1 (about 250 words)

Dear Pat

Thanks for your letter. Your news is very exciting, but are you sure that you want to go on a reality TV show?

I’m not sure it’s such a good idea.

If you go on a reality TV show, you’ll have no control over how you’ll be portrayed. The programme makers

often edit the things you say to make the programme as interesting as possible. This means that you could

be portrayed as someone who’s unkind, which is how the public will get to know you. It’s also likely that you’ll

become a topic of public conversation, and many times the public can be quite cruel. Think about other

reality TV contestants who’ve been labelled ‘nasty’, ‘stupid’ or worse.

There’s also always the chance that you might forget that you’re on TV and tell a secret about yourself or

your family to another contestant that you befriend. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to hurt the people close to

you.

Finally, once the series ends — or once you get voted off — it could be difficult to go back to your normal

life. You’ll probably be treated like a celebrity, but only for a short time. Then, you’ll have to return to your

regular life, and people’s opinion of you may have changed because of how they saw you on the show. This

adjustment could be really hard to cope with.

I hope my opinions will help you with this difficult decision. Please let me know what you decide to do.

Bye for now

Chris

2
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Task 2 Question 2

Suggested model answer for Task 2 Question 2 (about 250 words)

Life away from the couch

Most people in Hong Kong watch more than three hours of television a day — and I used to be one of them.

Then, I decided to stop watching TV for one month. This was no easy task, but it was well worth the

struggle.

At first, living without TV was very difficult. At school, I felt left out of conversations as I hadn’t seen any of

the programmes my friends were talking about. At home, I felt bored and restless during the evenings

because I didn’t know how to fill my time. While my parents read and my sister watched cartoons, I felt

lonely.

However, instead of sitting in my room alone one night, I took a walk and noticed that the local community

centre had lots of different activities and courses. The next evening I tried badminton, another time I played

volleyball and one weekend I even went rock-climbing. In fact, I enjoyed rock-climbing so much that I signed up

for a course.

By the end of the month, I felt happier and healthier. I had made lots of new friends at the community

centre, and I was much fitter from all the exercise. At school, nobody wanted to talk about TV programmes.

Instead, everyone wanted to know what new activity I had tried.

Now, I watch TV only when I’m really interested in the programme. From my month without TV, I have

developed hobbies and formed new and closer friendships. I recommend this experience to everyone — so

what are you waiting for?